The AEW: Shockwave mystery is officially overand no, it was never a secret FOX show. It turns out the project was dead long before it started, and now its legally buried.
According to filings obtained by Wrestlenomics, AEW formally abandoned its attempt to trademark the name AEW: Shockwave on November 13, ending a 14-month legal battle with the NWA, which previously used the Shockwave branding. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office closed the case with prejudice on November 17, meaning AEW is now permanently blocked from trying to use the name again.
AEW first filed to claim Shockwave on September 6, 2024, under an intent-to-use basis, hinting it was being considered for a future television program. But NWA quickly stepped in, arguing theyd already used the term in commerce since at least December 2020 for a YouTube series. They followed up with a legal demand in September 2024 and a formal opposition filing in June 2025.
The trademark fight escalated throughout the summer, with AEW claiming NWA hadnt actively used the name in years. The NWA countered that not only had they used Shockwave first, but theyd revived it again in January with a new series of shows. Ultimately, AEW blinkedpulling the plug without a formal settlement and giving up rights to the name altogether.
The timing lines up perfectly with Tony Khans recent comments with Ariel Helwani, where he dismissed AEW: Shockwave as little more than a shelved concept.
Khan admitted he had a phone call with Billy Corgan, NWA president and frontman of the Smashing Pumpkins, to clear the air.
What Khan didnt mention on the show was that the trademark had already been formally abandoned and closed the day before the interview aired.
The resolution comes at an awkward moment, too. AEW recently introduced its National Title, a move that raised eyebrows among NWA talent since the NWA already has a championship by that name. Some insiders speculated AEWs rollout was a subtle jab over the Shockwave dispute. Khan told Helwani he also discussed the National Title with Corgan, simply saying:
With the U.S. Trademark Board entering a final judgment, the Shockwave name now belongs exclusively to the NWA for use in wrestling programming. Any future show carrying that branding will come from Billy Corgans campnot Tony Khans.
Whether the whole thing was a placeholder name, a real project, or a shot across the bow, one things clear: AEW isnt using Shockwave ever again.
Do you think AEW shouldve fought harder to keep the Shockwave name, or was it smart to walk away and keep peace with the NWA? Let us know what you think and drop your feedback in the comments.
